Asparagus ferns’ native habitat tells you about the conditions it craves: warm, humid, sunny environments that also have a bit of shade. Despite its name, the plant does not resemble asparagus—and it’s actually not even really a fern! Instead, it’s part of the asparagaceae family, along with other popular flowering plants like agave and dracaena. And while its foliage resembles a fern, it doesn’t reproduce via spores as true ferns do. Another thing that sets this plant apart is its tuberous roots: These bulblike root structures act as little storage containers for the plant, saving resources for when they’re most needed. Adaptations like these make asparagus ferns relatively hardy and low maintenance and allow them to grow quickly given the right care. While it’s not the most popular type of greenery out there, chances are you can find an asparagus fern for sale in your local plant shop or garden store. If you do choose to move forward with the asparagus fern, Debbie Neese, the horticulture expert at Lively Root, recommends placing it in a spot that gets four to six hours of partial morning sun and afternoon shade. “In full sun, it could survive but would need high humidity and moisture content in the soil,” she says. This tropical plant will thrive year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-12. If you live in a cooler environment, you’ll need to take it inside for the season once temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Since it prefers humid environments, those who live in really dry conditions would be better off keeping this one as a houseplant. Set your indoor temperature around 60 to 75 degrees to keep these plants happy, and be sure to give them plenty of humidity during drier months (by misting or placing them near a humidifier). Don’t put them too close to drafty windows or air conditioning/heating units, as these can also dry out their leaves. Depending on the plant, you’ll likely need to water every one to two weeks in the winter and as many as two to three times a week in the summer. Every time you water it, feel free to give its leaves a good mist to make sure it’s getting enough moisture and humidity. You can also place it within striking distance of a humidifier to achieve the same effect. Every year, preferably in spring, aim to change out its soil to give it a fresh infusion of nutrients. Fertilizing it every two to four weeks during the growing season with a well-balanced fertilizer, or one with a slightly higher nitrogen ratio, will also protect against any soil deficiencies. To repot, Neese recommends putting on a pair of gloves (the leaves might get prickly), lifting the plant from its pot, and gently brushing off any excess soil before placing it in its new home. If you’re new to this technique, check out mbg’s complete guide to repotting here. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
